List of Water Margin characters

Last updated

The following is a list of characters in Water Margin , one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.

Contents

108 Stars of Destiny

The 108 Stars of Destiny are at the core of the plot of Water Margin. Based on the Taoist concept that each person's destiny is tied to a "Star of Destiny" (宿星), the 108 Stars of Destiny are stars representing 108 demonic overlords who were banished by the deity Shangdi. Having repented since their expulsion, the 108 Stars are accidentally released from their place of confinement, and are reborn in the world as 108 heroes who band together for the cause of justice. They are divided into the 36 Heavenly Spirits and 72 Earthly Fiends.

36 Heavenly Spirits

The 36 Heavenly Spirits (天罡三十六星) are:

  1. Song Jiang (宋江), nicknamed "Protector of Righteousness" (呼保義) and "Timely Rain" (及時雨)
  2. Lu Junyi (盧俊義), nicknamed "Jade Qilin" (玉麒麟)
  3. Wu Yong (吳用), nicknamed "Resourceful Star" (智多星)
  4. Gongsun Sheng (公孫勝), nicknamed "Dragon in the Clouds" (入雲龍)
  5. Guan Sheng (關勝), nicknamed "Great Blade" (大刀)
  6. Lin Chong (林沖), nicknamed "Panther Head" (豹子頭)
  7. Qin Ming (秦明), nicknamed "Fiery Thunderbolt" (霹靂火)
  8. Huyan Zhuo (呼延灼), nicknamed "Double Clubs" (雙鞭)
  9. Hua Rong (花榮), nicknamed "Little Li Guang" (小李廣)
  10. Chai Jin (柴進), nicknamed "Little Whirlwind" (小旋風)
  11. Li Ying (李應), nicknamed "Striking Hawk" (撲天雕)
  12. Zhu Tong (朱仝), nicknamed "Lord of the Beautiful Beard" (美髯公)
  13. Lu Zhishen (魯智深), nicknamed "Flowery Monk" (花和尚)
  14. Wu Song (武松), nicknamed "Pilgrim" (行者)
  15. Dong Ping (董平), nicknamed "General of Double Spears" (雙槍將)
  16. Zhang Qing (張清), nicknamed "Featherless Arrow" (沒羽箭)
  17. Yang Zhi (楊志), nicknamed "Blue Faced Beast" (青面獸)
  18. Xu Ning (徐寧), nicknamed "Gold Lancer" (金槍手)
  19. Suo Chao (索超), nicknamed "Impatient Vanguard" (急先鋒)
  20. Dai Zong (戴宗), nicknamed "Magic Traveller" (神行太保)
  21. Liu Tang (劉唐), nicknamed "Red Haired Devil" (赤髮鬼)
  22. Li Kui (李逵), nicknamed "Black Whirlwind" (黑旋風)
  23. Shi Jin (史進), nicknamed "Nine Tattooed Dragons" (九紋龍)
  24. Mu Hong (穆弘), nicknamed "Unrestrained" (沒遮攔)
  25. Lei Heng (雷橫), nicknamed "Winged Tiger" (插翅虎)
  26. Li Jun (李俊), nicknamed "Turbulent River Dragon" (混江龍)
  27. Ruan Xiaoer (阮小二), nicknamed "Tai Sui Who Stands His Ground" (立地太歲)
  28. Zhang Heng (張橫), nicknamed "Boatman" (船火兒)
  29. Ruan Xiaowu (阮小五), nicknamed "Short-lived Second Brother" (短命二郎)
  30. Zhang Shun (張順), nicknamed "White Jumping in the Waves" (浪裡白跳)
  31. Ruan Xiaoqi (阮小七), nicknamed "Living King Yama" (活閻羅)
  32. Yang Xiong (楊雄), nicknamed "Superior to Guan Suo" (病關索)
  33. Shi Xiu (石秀), nicknamed "Daredevil Third Brother" (拼命三郎)
  34. Xie Zhen (解珍), nicknamed "Double-headed Serpent" (兩頭蛇)
  35. Xie Bao (解寶), nicknamed "Twin-tailed Scorpion" (雙尾蠍)
  36. Yan Qing (燕青), nicknamed "Prodigal/Wanderer" (浪子)

72 Earthly Fiends

The 72 Earthly Fiends (地煞七十二星) are:

  1. Zhu Wu (朱武), nicknamed "Resourceful Strategist" (神機軍師)
  2. Huang Xin (黃信), nicknamed "Suppressor of Three Mountains" (鎮三山)
  3. Sun Li (孫立), nicknamed "Superior to Yuchi" (病尉遲)
  4. Xuan Zan (宣贊), nicknamed "Ugly Prince Consort" (醜郡馬)
  5. Hao Siwen (郝思文), nicknamed "Wood Dog of Well" (井木犴)
  6. Han Tao (韓滔), nicknamed "General of a Hundred Victories" (百勝將)
  7. Peng Qi (彭玘), nicknamed "General of Heavenly Vision" (天目將)
  8. Shan Tinggui (單廷珪), nicknamed "General of Sacred Water" (聖水將)
  9. Wei Dingguo (魏定國), nicknamed "General of Holy Fire" (神火將)
  10. Xiao Rang (蕭讓), nicknamed "Sacred Handed Scholar" (聖手書生)
  11. Pei Xuan (裴宣), nicknamed "Iron Faced Magistrate's Clerk" (鐵面孔目)
  12. Ou Peng (歐鵬), nicknamed "Golden Wings Brushing Against the Clouds" (摩雲金翅)
  13. Deng Fei (鄧飛), nicknamed "Fiery Eyed Suan-ni" (火眼狻狔)
  14. Yan Shun (燕順), nicknamed "Multicoloured Tiger" (錦毛虎)
  15. Yang Lin (楊林), nicknamed "Multicoloured Leopard" (錦豹子)
  16. Ling Zhen (凌振), nicknamed "Heaven Shaking Thunder" (轟天雷)
  17. Jiang Jing (蔣敬), nicknamed "Divine Mathematician" (神算子)
  18. Lü Fang (呂方), nicknamed "Little Marquis of Wen" (小溫侯)
  19. Guo Sheng (郭盛), nicknamed "Comparable to Rengui" (賽仁貴)
  20. An Daoquan (安道全), nicknamed "Divine Physician" (神醫)
  21. Huangfu Duan (皇甫端), nicknamed "Purple Bearded Count" (紫髯伯)
  22. Wang Ying (王英), nicknamed "Stumpy Tiger" (矮腳虎)
  23. Hu Sanniang (扈三娘), nicknamed "Ten Feet of Blue" (一丈青)
  24. Bao Xu (鮑旭), nicknamed "God of Death" (喪門神)
  25. Fan Rui (樊瑞), nicknamed "Demon King of Chaos" (混世魔王)
  26. Kong Ming (孔明), nicknamed "Hairy Star" (毛頭星)
  27. Kong Liang (孔亮), nicknamed "Lonely Fiery Star" (獨火星)
  28. Xiang Chong (項充), nicknamed "Eight-armed Nezha" (八臂哪吒)
  29. Li Gun (李袞), nicknamed "Sky Soaring Great Sage" (飛天大聖)
  30. Jin Dajian (金大堅), nicknamed "Jade Armed Craftsman" (玉臂匠)
  31. Ma Lin (馬麟), nicknamed "Iron Flute Deity" (鐵笛仙)
  32. Tong Wei (童威), nicknamed "Dragon Emerging from a Cave" (出洞蛟)
  33. Tong Meng (童猛), nicknamed "River Churning Clam" (翻江蜃)
  34. Meng Kang (孟康), nicknamed "Jade Flagpole" (玉旛竿)
  35. Hou Jian (侯健), nicknamed "Interconnected-Arm Gibbon" (通臂猿)
  36. Chen Da (陳達), nicknamed "Stream Leaping Tiger" (跳澗虎)
  37. Yang Chun (楊春), nicknamed "White Flower Serpent" (白花蛇)
  38. Zheng Tianshou (鄭天壽), nicknamed "Fair Skinned Gentleman" (白面郎君)
  39. Tao Zongwang (陶宗旺), nicknamed "Nine Tailed Turtle" (九尾龜)
  40. Song Qing (宋清), nicknamed "Iron Fan" (鐵扇子)
  41. Yue He (樂和), nicknamed "Iron Whistle" (鐵叫子)
  42. Gong Wang (龔旺), nicknamed "Flowery Necked Tiger" (花項虎)
  43. Ding Desun (丁得孫), nicknamed "Arrow-hit Tiger" (中箭虎)
  44. Mu Chun (穆春), nicknamed "Little Restrained" (小遮攔)
  45. Cao Zheng (曹正), nicknamed "Knife Wielding Demon" (操刀鬼)
  46. Song Wan (宋萬), nicknamed "Giant in the Clouds" (雲裡金剛)
  47. Du Qian (杜遷), nicknamed "Touching the Sky" (摸著天)
  48. Xue Yong (薛永), nicknamed "Superior to Tiger" (病大蟲)
  49. Shi En (施恩), nicknamed "Golden Eyed Tiger Cub" (金眼彪)
  50. Li Zhong (李忠), nicknamed "Tiger Slaying General" (打虎將)
  51. Zhou Tong (周通), nicknamed "Little Conqueror" (小霸王)
  52. Tang Long (湯隆), nicknamed "Gold Coin Spotted Leopard" (金錢豹子)
  53. Du Xing (杜興), nicknamed "Demon Face" (鬼臉兒)
  54. Zou Yuan (鄒淵), nicknamed "Forest Emerging Dragon" (出林龍)
  55. Zou Run (鄒潤), nicknamed "Single Horned Dragon" (獨角龍)
  56. Zhu Gui (朱貴), nicknamed "Dry Land Alligator" (旱地忽律)
  57. Zhu Fu (朱富), nicknamed "Sneering Tiger" (笑面虎)
  58. Cai Fu (蔡福), nicknamed "Iron Arm" (鐵臂膊)
  59. Cai Qing (蔡慶), nicknamed "Stalk of Flower" (一枝花)
  60. Li Li (李立), nicknamed "Life Taking Judge" (催命判官)
  61. Li Yun (李雲), nicknamed "Green Eyed Tiger" (青眼虎)
  62. Jiao Ting (焦挺), nicknamed "Faceless" (沒面目)
  63. Shi Yong (石勇), nicknamed "Stone General" (石將軍)
  64. Sun Xin (孫新), nicknamed "Little Yuchi" (小尉遲)
  65. Gu Dasao (顧大嫂), nicknamed "Female Tiger" (母大蟲)
  66. Zhang Qing (張青), nicknamed "Gardener" (菜園子)
  67. Sun Erniang (孫二娘), nicknamed "Female Yaksha" (母夜叉)
  68. Wang Dingliu (王定六), nicknamed "Living Goddess of Lightning" (活閃婆)
  69. Yu Baosi (郁保四), nicknamed "God of the Dangerous Road" (險道神)
  70. Bai Sheng (白勝), nicknamed "Daylight Rat" (白日鼠)
  71. Shi Qian (時遷), nicknamed "Flea on a Drum" (鼓上蚤)
  72. Duan Jingzhu (段景住), nicknamed "Golden Haired Hound" (金毛犬)

Chao Gai's story

Song Jiang's story

Lu Junyi's story

Lin Chong's story

Chai Jin's story

Lu Zhishen's story

Wu Song's story

Wu Song (left) fights the "Flying Centipede", from a 2014 Peking opera performance in Tianchan Theatre, Shanghai, China. Wu Song Peking Opera 6.jpg
Wu Song (left) fights the "Flying Centipede", from a 2014 Peking opera performance in Tianchan Theatre, Shanghai, China.

Dong Ping's story

Yang Zhi's story

Li Kui's story

Shi Jin's story

Lei Heng's story

Li Jun's story

The following persons are jianghu figures living around the Lake Tai area. They become sworn brothers with Li Jun and eventually follow him to Siam, where he becomes king.

Zhang Shun's story

Yang Xiong's story

Xie brothers' story

Zhu Family Village

Zeng Family Fortress

Gao Qiu's story

Song government

Liao Empire

"11 Star Generals"

The "11 Star Generals" (十一曜大將) are a military configuration based on the Nine Astronomical Bodies.

"28 Mansions Generals"

The "28 Mansions Generals" (二十八宿將軍) are a military configuration based on the 28 Mansions.

Youzhou

Bazhou

Jizhou

Tanzhou

Tian Hu forces

Weisheng Prefecture

Taiyuan County

Qinyuan County

Yushe County

Fenyang Prefecture

Lucheng County

Xiangyuan County

Jinning Prefecture

Zhaode Prefecture

Mount Baodu

Hu Pass

Yangcheng County

Qinshui County

Gaizhou

Gaoping County

Lingchuan County

Wang Qing forces

Wang family

Nanfeng

Mount Yique

Mount Ji

Shannan Prefecture

Jingnan Prefecture

Wanzhou

Xijing

Dongchuan, Yun'an and Ande prefectures

Others

Fang La forces

Fang family

Central government

Yuling Pass

Dongguan and Black Dragon Ridge

"Four Dragons of Zhejiang"

The "Four Dragons of Zhejiang" (浙江四龍) are four commanders of Fang La's naval forces at Muzhou and Black Dragon Ridge. After their defeat, Di Yuan and Qiao Zheng go missing; Cheng Gui and Xie Fu attempt to escape but are captured by civilians, handed over to the Liangshan forces, and subsequently executed.

"Four Great Marshals"

The "Four Great Marshals" (四大元帥) are four generals serving under Fang Tianding in Hangzhou.

"24 Officers of Hangzhou"

The "24 Officers of Hangzhou" (杭州二十四將) are 24 officers serving under Fang Tianding in Hangzhou.

Xiuzhou

Dusong Pass

"Eight Valiant Riders"

The "Eight Valiant Riders" (八驃騎) are eight warriors serving under Fang Mao in Suzhou.

Huzhou

Jiangyin and Taicang

Changzhou

Xuanzhou

"12 Deities of Jiangnan"

The "12 Deities of Jiangnan" (江南十二神) are 12 warriors serving under Lü Shinang.

Yangzhou

Others

Characters mentioned by name

Notes

  1. Note that "Yanei" is not Gao Yanei's personal name. "Yanei" was a term used during the Song dynasty to refer to the sons of high-ranking government officials.
  2. A "yuhou" was a servant of a high-ranking government official during the Song dynasty.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Song Jiang</span> Chinese historical figure

Song Jiang was a Chinese historical figure who led an armed rebellion against the ruling Song Dynasty in the early 12th century. His band marauded over a region straddling the present-day Chinese provinces of Shandong and Henan. They eventually surrendered to the Imperial Court. The historical Song Jiang was turned into a fictional character in Water Margin, which became one of the four famous Classic Chinese Novels. He is the central figure in the book, and the leader of the 108 Heroes who come together as bandits in Shandong's Liangshan Marsh.

Lin Chong is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Panther Head", he ranks sixth among the 36 Heavenly Spirits. In some folk tales derived from the novel, he is said to have learnt martial arts from Zhou Tong, who purportedly trained the Song dynasty general Yue Fei in archery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wu Yong</span>

Wu Yong is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Knowledgeable Star", he ranks third among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zhang Qing (Featherless Arrow)</span> Fictional character in Water Margin

Zhang Qing is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Featherless Arrow", he ranks 16th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lu Junyi</span>

Lu Junyi is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Jade Qilin", he ranks second among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny. In some Chinese folk tales derived from the novel, Lu Junyi is a martial arts student of Zhou Tong, who purportedly also trained the Song dynasty general Yue Fei in archery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gongsun Sheng</span>

Gongsun Sheng is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Dragon in the Clouds", he ranks fourth among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chao Gai</span>

Chao Gai, nicknamed "Pagoda-Shifting Heavenly King", is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He is not one of the 108 Stars of Destiny because he dies before the Grand Assembly of the 108 Stars. However, after his death, he serves as a spiritual guardian of the outlaws, who from time to time dedicate ceremonial sacrifices to him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yan Qing</span> Water Margin character

Yan Qing is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Langzi", he ranks last among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chai Jin</span>

Chai Jin is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Little Whirlwind", he ranks 10th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zhang Shun</span>

Zhang Shun is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "White Jumping in the Waves", he ranks 30th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ding Desun</span>

Ding Desun is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Arrow-hit Tiger", he ranks 79th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 43rd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Gong Wang is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Flowery Necked Tiger", he ranks 78th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 42nd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zhu Gui (Water Margin)</span> Water Margin character

Zhu Gui is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Dry Land Alligator", he ranks 92nd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 56th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Cai Fu is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Iron Arm", he ranks 94th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 58th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gao Qiu</span> 12th-century Chinese government official

Gao Qiu (1076?–1126) was a Chinese politician who lived during the Song dynasty and served in the court of Emperor Huizong. In the classical novel Water Margin, he is fictionalised as one of the primary antagonists and a nemesis of the protagonists, the 108 Heroes of Mount Liang.

Cai Qing is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Stalk of Flower", he ranks 95th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 59th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

<i>The Water Margin</i> (film) 1972 Hong Kong film

The Water Margin, also known Outlaws of the Marsh and Seven Blows Of The Dragon, is a 1972 Hong Kong film adapted from the Chinese classical 14th-century novel Water Margin. It was produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio and directed by Chang Cheh. Godfrey Ho was assistant director.

<i>The Water Margin</i> (1998 TV series) Chinese TV series or program

The Water Margin is a 1998 Chinese television series adapted from Shi Nai'an's classical 14th-century novel of the same title. It was produced by CCTV with Zhang Jizhong as producer. It was first broadcast in China in January 1998. The series also featured action choreography by Yuen Woo-ping.

<i>All Men Are Brothers</i> (TV series) 2011 Chinese television series

All Men Are Brothers is a 2011 Chinese television series adapted from Shi Nai'an's 14th century novel Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The series is directed by Kuk Kwok-leung and features cast members from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The series was first broadcast on 8TV in March 2011 in Malaysia.

<i>Outlaws of the Marsh</i> (TV series) Chinese TV series or program

Outlaws of the Marsh is a Chinese television series adapted from Shi Nai'an's classical 14th century novel Water Margin. It was first broadcast on Shandong TV in China in 1983, and was not completed until 1986. The series was one of the earliest television dramas with an ancient China setting to be produced in mainland China. It was divided into different parts, each focusing on the story line of a certain character. Widely regarded, as a classic in mainland China, the series won a Golden Eagle Award.

References